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AIBU

Not to sponsor someone's holiday?

(28 Posts)
JessM Mon 26-May-14 06:52:50

Interesting article about the pros and cons of raising money for charity while
having an exciting holiday. You know the sort of thing: "Will you sponsor my daughter, she's cycling to the top of Everest to raise money for cancer?"
I always say no. I'd rather all my donation goes to charity rather than half of it subsidising someone;s "gap experience". But this article does lay out the pros and cons in a thoughtful way. After skimming it I might conclude
If you are a fairly affluent young person who as had lots of holidays you can b** off and get a part time job and fund the trip yourself before you start asking for donations. Or get your parents to pay the costs.
If you are a young person who comes from a poorer background I might agree.
But generally the best way to support a charity is a direct debit, even if it is a small one. This gives charities the steady predictable income that allows them to plan and operate effectively.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27485754

Bez Tue 27-May-14 08:43:45

Grandmanorm my friend did the Great Wall walk too and also two others. Each time she paid all her own expenses and had to agree to raise a certain amount of money for the charity before she was accepted to do the challenges. She did not ask for sponsorship but organised a number of fun events and close friends did help with these events and donate time and maybe cakes etc. All these were good social events attended by lots of people. She did a couple of things which would not have been so easy to do alone and paid every penny of her costs besides raising several thousand pounds for cancer charities. Things are not always so clear cut as we assume.

Marmight Tue 27-May-14 08:47:01

Admiration grandmanorm!
I've just 'sponsored' a friend who walked the Camino. He paid for all his expenses, obviously, and enjoyed his little 'holiday' but also raised a fair sum for Alzheimers Research while doing so..
When she was 17 DD3 went to India and worked in a school, building classrooms etc. She raised every penny for the trip herself - worked in the local golf club, made 'stuff' and sold it at fairs and at school and also used her birthday/pocket money to fund the trip. It certainly introduced her to the value of money and made her aware of the plight of others.
A friend was recently asked, instead of giving a wedding present, to donate to the happy couple's honeymoon in Bali. She contacted them and said it was against her principals and would they like some more bath towels instead wink